Vessel performance optimization reporting tool

ABSTRACT

The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellite transceiver. The sensor system is configured to generate data about a vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location. The satellite transceiver is connected to the computer system. The satellite transceiver is configured to send the vessel information to and receive other information from the remote location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/762,033 entitled “Remote Sensing andDetermination of Tactical Ship Readiness” all of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to ship operations and, inparticular, to a method and apparatus for detecting and reporting shipoperating status and performance. Still more particularly, the presentdisclosure provides a method and apparatus for collecting andcommunicating important information about ships and the voyageenvironments during operation at sea.

2. Background

Commercial or merchant vessels carry cargo, goods, passengers, and/ormaterials from one port to another. Commercial vessels may include, forexample, general cargo ships, container ships, bulk carriers, tankers,ferries and cruise ships, and special-purpose ships. In 2009, over50,000 commercial vessels were in operation globally. Ship owners mayown several or hundreds of commercial vessels, comprising a fleet.Individual vessels or entire fleets may be operated by the ship ownersthemselves, or chartered by another company, also known as thecharterer. Agreements between the ship owner and a charterer are knownas charter party agreements. The agreements specify, among other things,the operating status parameters, including fuel efficiency andperformance that are guaranteed by the ship owner to the charterer.

Issues may occur while a vessel is at sea that affect the vessel'soperational status. Operational safety, fuel efficiency, speed capacity,expected arrival time at port, vessel maintenance needs, and otherfactors can be affected by these issues. These types of issues mayaffect the crew, cargo, and/or the vessel itself, and increasetransportation costs. Communication between a vessel and a remote site,such as a shore-side office, is limited when the vessel is at sea due toa lack of available communication systems and/or the high cost of airtime using communication systems that are currently available. Thislimits both the amount and frequency of communication between vessels atsea and shore-side operations.

On many vessels, to control communication cost, electronic data iscollected onboard the vessel, and then transmitted as a single package afew times daily. The content of these packages, and the period of theirtransmission, cannot be controlled or initiated by a remote site. Inmany cases, communication is further restricted by an officer on theship. Electronic data is received by the vessel in a similar manner.Much of the information collected while a vessel is at sea is onlyavailable to a shore-side office once the vessel reaches a port and theinformation is manually transferred to a computer or personnel on shoreusing a shore-side communication system or direct human intervention.

In making a voyage, it is desirable to make the voyage in a manner thatenhances safety, efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and on-timearrival, while reducing emissions such as carbon dioxide, a greenhousegas that may contribute to climate change. Ship owners, operators, fleetmanagers, and port authorities desire up-to-date information from theirvessels for asset management, tracking, and verification of shipoperational status and arrival times. Information concerning shipposition, speed, and environmental conditions is also useful forpurposes of performance validation in charter party arbitration.

Some of the information necessary to analyze vessel operatingperformance in a meaningful way is not readily available for acquisitionand transmission to a remote site where resources are available toconduct such analysis. This may include navigation and environmentaldata that is restricted for security reasons to the vessel's navigationand operational control systems. Some vessels may not be equipped withsensors needed to acquire certain critical data.

It is desirable to be able to send or receive critical information innear real-time from the remote site to or from the vessel that containsadvice or recommendations concerning special events or on procedural oroperational changes that would improve the operational status of thevessel. It is desirable that these transmissions or requests forinformation may be initiated from the remote site or the vessel itself.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus thataddresses one or more of the issues discussed above.

SUMMARY

The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising asensor system, a computer system, and a satellite communication system.The sensor system is configured to generate data about a vessel and anenvironment around the vessel. The computer system is connected to thesensor system. The computer system is configured to receive the datafrom the sensor system, generate vessel information about the data, andsend the vessel information to a remote location. The satellitecommunication system is connected to the computer system. The satellitecommunication system is configured to send the vessel information to andreceive other information from the remote location.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a method forvessel communication. Data is collected about an environment and avessel in the environment using a vessel reporting tool. The data isencoded to form a first number of short data packets. A determination ismade as to whether a report is needed. In response to a determinationthat the report is needed, the first number of short data packets istransmitted to a remote server using a satellite communication system.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a method forcommunicating with a vessel. A first number of data packets from avessel is received using a satellite communications system. The firstnumber of data packets is decoded to retrieve collected data. Thecollected data is analyzed using a number of policies.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide an apparatuscomprising a data manager and an analysis system. The data manager isconfigured to receive a first number of short data packets from acomputer system associated with a vessel using a satellite communicationsystem, decode the number of short data packets to retrieve data aboutat least one of the vessel and an environment around the vessel,determine whether a response is needed, responsive to a determinationthat the response is needed, form a second number of short data packetsin response to the data retrieved, and transmit the second number ofshort data packets to the computer system associated with the vesselusing the satellite communication system. The analysis system isconfigured to analyze the data retrieved and generate at least one ofinstructions, information, requests, and alerts in response to the dataretrieved. The data manager uses the at least one of instructions,information, requests, and alerts generated to form the second number ofshort data packets.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a computerprogram product having computer usable program code stored on a computerreadable storage medium. The computer usable program code is executed bya computer to receive collected data about an environment and a vesselin the environment from a sensor system of a vessel reporting tool andencode the data to form a first number of short data packets. Inresponse to a determination that a report is needed, the computer usableprogram code is executed by a computer to transmit the number of shortdata packets to a remote server using a satellite communication system.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the advantageousembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The advantageousembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment ofthe present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a reporting environment in which anadvantageous embodiment may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a data processing system in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a vessel reporting tool in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a sensor system in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a reporting system in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an analysis system in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart illustrating a process forvessel reporting in accordance with an advantageous embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart illustrating a process for dataanalysis in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures and, in particular, with reference toFIG. 1, an illustration of a reporting environment is depicted in whichan advantageous embodiment may be implemented. Reporting environment 100may be any type of environment in which vessels operate.

Number of vessels 102 may operate in reporting environment 100.Reporting environment 100 includes satellite network 101. Satellitenetwork 101 may be, for example, without limitation, a low earth orbitsatellite constellation. A satellite constellation refers to a group ofsatellites working together to orbit the earth in a given pattern orconfiguration. Low earth orbit satellites typically maintain a circularorbit around 160-2000 kilometers (km) above the earth's surface. Incomparison to geosynchronous systems (GEO), which are located at analtitude of 35,800 km above the earth, low earth orbiting satellitesrequire less signal strength for data transmission, have shorter delaysdue to their relative proximity to the ground, and depending on orbitalpatterns, may offer communication coverage excluded by other satellitesystems. Examples of a low earth orbit satellite constellation mayinclude, without limitation, the Iridium® and Globalstar™ systems.Iridium is a registered trademark of Iridium Satellite LLC.

Number of vessels 102 may include, for example, without limitation,cargo ships, passenger ships, military ships, leisure craft, sub-surfaceships, and/or any other suitable vessel. Vessel 104 is an illustrativeexample of one implementation of number of vessels 102.

Vessel 104 may include above deck area 106 and below deck area 108.Number of vessel reporting tools 110 may be implemented in above deckarea 106, in this illustrative example. In one advantageous embodiment,number of vessel reporting tools 110 may be implemented on a side rail,flying bridge, and/or any other suitable portion of above deck area 106.

Number of vessel reporting tools 110 is one or more tools configured tomonitor a vessel and an environment around the vessel, collectinformation about the vessel and the environment around the vessel,generate reports using the information collected, and transmit thereports to remote server 118 during a voyage and/or while the vessel isbetween ports. Number of vessel reporting tools 110 is configured toprovide bi-directional communication between a vessel and a remoteserver over satellite network 101. The bi-directional communicationprovided by number of vessel reporting tools 110 over satellite network101 may be a short text and/or data messaging system, in theseillustrative examples.

Below deck area 108 may include, without limitation, computer 112, power114, and access to vessel network 116. Computer 112 is an illustrativeexample of a vessel computer used for data processing and to monitorvessel operations and performance. Power 114 may include, withoutlimitation, house-supplied alternating current (AC) or direct current(DC) electric power, a battery, ultra-capacitor, fuel cell, gas poweredgenerator, photo cells, and/or any other suitable electrical powerconnected to the source by hardwire or wireless connection. In anillustrative embodiment, number of vessel reporting tools 110 may bepowered by power 114 using cable 119, for example. Cable 119 may be, forexample, without limitation, a twisted pair high signal integrity cable,such as the category 5 cable (Cat5), or inductive, optical, or otherwireless connection.

In one advantageous embodiment, vessel network 116 may be, for example,a local area network (LAN). Computer 112 may connect to vessel network116 via a hard connection or a wireless connection. Number of vesselreporting tools 110 may optionally connect to vessel network 116 aswell, for example with an Ethernet connection, in some advantageousembodiments.

Number of vessel reporting tools 110 communicates with remote server 118over satellite network 101. Remote server 118 may be any type of dataprocessing system configured to send and receive data over satellitenetwork 101. Remote server 118 may include programs for vessel voyageplanning, in one advantageous embodiment. Remote server 118 may be amobile command station onboard another vessel or platform, in oneillustrative example. In another illustrative example, remote server 118may be connected to a land-based satellite station via at least one ofwireless, cabled, or internet connections.

In an advantageous embodiment, reporting environment 100 also includessatellite transceiver 120 and satellite antenna 122. Satellitetransceiver 120 may receive data from number of vessel reporting tools110 over satellite network 101 using satellite antenna 122. Satellitetransceiver 120 may transmit data received to remote server 118 in thisillustrative example. Satellite transceiver 120 may be powered by powersupply 126 via power conditioner 124. Power conditioner 124 is a deviceto configure and/or improve the quality of the power delivered tosatellite receiver 120. Power supply 126 may include, for example,without limitation, house-supplied alternating current (AC) or directcurrent (DC) electric power, a battery, ultra-capacitor, fuel cell, gaspowered generator, photo cells, and/or any other suitable electricalpower connected to the source by hardwire or wireless connection.

Remote server 118 may also include analysis system 128. Analysis system128 receives data transmitted by number of vessel reporting tools 110,analyzes the data, and generates data in response for transmission tonumber of vessel reporting tools 110. In an illustrative example,analysis system 128 may generate advisory actions for number of vessels102 that may be transmitted by remote server 118 to number of vesselreporting tools 110 during a voyage. This may allow a vessel to improveits operating safety and efficiency during a single passage, forexample.

In another illustrative example, a vessel owner, operator, and/or fleetmanager may use data received at remote server 118 from number of vesselreporting tools 110 during a voyage in asset management and validationoperations. Remote server 118 collects relevant performance andenvironmental data transmitted by number of vessel reporting tools 110in a near-real time operating environment as number of vessels 102 isbetween ports, and returns alerts and recommendations with regard tosituational awareness for number of vessels 102, such as extreme weatherconditions or piracy activity for example. In addition, users onboardnumber of vessels 102 can initiate transmission of reports, requests, oralerts to remote server 118 in the case of special events that may occurbetween the normally scheduled communications, for example.

The illustration of reporting environment 100 in FIG. 1 is not meant toimply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other componentsin addition and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

In some advantageous embodiments, number of vessel reporting tools 110may be equipped with internal or above-deck power supplies or sourcesthat reduce or eliminate the need for cable 119 to supply power frompower 114, for example. In other advantageous embodiments, number ofvessel reporting tools 110 may also transmit data over satellite network101 while a vessel is at a port, in addition to while the vessel isbetween ports.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processingsystem is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Dataprocessing system 200 is an example of a computer, such as computer 112remote server 118 in FIG. 1, and/or reporting system 310 in FIG. 3, inwhich computer usable program code or instructions implementing theprocesses may be located for the advantageous embodiments.

In this illustrative example, data processing system 200 includescommunications fabric 202, which provides communications betweenprocessor unit 204, memory 206, persistent storage 208, communicationsunit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, and display 214.

Processor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may be a set of one ormore processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on theparticular implementation. A “number of items” as used herein withreference to an item means one or more items. Further, processor unit204 may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systemsin which a main processor is present with secondary processors on asingle chip. As another illustrative example, processor unit 204 may bea symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of thesame type.

Memory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of storage devices216. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example without limitation, data,program code in functional form, and/or other suitable informationeither on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Memory 206, inthese examples, may be, for example, a random access memory or any othersuitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage 208may take various forms depending on the particular implementation. Forexample, persistent storage 208 may contain one or more components ordevices. For example, persistent storage 208 may be a hard drive, aflash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, orsome combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage 208also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be usedfor persistent storage 208.

Communications unit 210, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 210 is a network interface card. Communications unit210 may provide communications through the use of either or bothphysical and wireless communications links.

Input/output unit 212 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 200. Forexample, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable input device.Further, input/output unit 212 may send output to a printer. Display 214provides a mechanism to display information to a user.

Instructions for the operating system, applications and/or programs maybe located in storage devices 216, which are in communication withprocessor unit 204 through communications fabric 202. In theseillustrative examples, the instructions are in a functional form onpersistent storage 208. These instructions may be loaded into memory 206for execution by processor unit 204. The processes of the differentembodiments may be performed by processor unit 204 using computerimplemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such asmemory 206.

These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usableprogram code, or computer readable program code that may be read andexecuted by a processor in processor unit 204. The program code in thedifferent embodiments may be embodied on different physical or tangiblecomputer readable media, such as memory 206 or persistent storage 208.

Program code 218 is located in a functional form on computer readablemedia 220 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto ortransferred to data processing system 200 for execution by processorunit 204. Program code 218 and computer readable media 220 form computerprogram product 222 in these examples. In one example, computer readablemedia 220 may be computer readable storage media 224 or computerreadable signal media 226. Computer readable storage media 224 mayinclude, for example, an optical or magnetic disc that is inserted orplaced into a drive or other device that is part of persistent storage208 for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard drive that ispart of persistent storage 208. Computer readable storage media 224 alsomay take the form of a persistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumbdrive, or a flash memory that is connected to data processing system200. In some instances, computer readable storage media 224 may not beremovable from data processing system 200. In these illustrativeexamples, computer readable storage media 224 is a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium.

Alternatively, program code 218 may be transferred to data processingsystem 200 from computer readable media 220 using computer readablesignal media 226. Computer readable signal media 226 may be, forexample, a propagated data signal containing program code 218. Forexample computer readable signal media 226 may be an electro-magneticsignal, an optical signal, and/or any other suitable type of signal.These signals may be transmitted over communications links, such aswireless communications links, optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, awire, and/or any other suitable type of communications link. In otherwords, the communications link and/or the connection may be physical orwireless in the illustrative examples.

In some illustrative embodiments, program code 218 may be downloadedover a network to persistent storage 208 from another device or dataprocessing system through computer readable signal media 226 for usewithin data processing system 200. For instance, program code stored ina computer readable storage medium in a server data processing systemmay be downloaded over a network from the server to data processingsystem 200. The data processing system providing program code 218 may bea server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable ofstoring and transmitting program code 218.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 200 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for dataprocessing system 200. Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of executingprogram code. As one example, the data processing system may includeorganic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may becomprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. Forexample, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.

As another example, a storage device in data processing system 200 isany hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 206, persistentstorage 208 and computer readable media 220 are examples of storagedevices in a tangible form.

In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communicationsfabric 202 and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a systembus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implementedusing any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer ofdata between different components or devices attached to the bus system.Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices usedto transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.Further, a memory may be, for example, memory 206 or a cache such asfound in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present incommunications fabric 202.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means that different combinations of one or more of the items maybe used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Forexample, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include, forexample, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This examplealso may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C.

As used herein, when a first component is connected to a secondcomponent, the first component may be connected to the second componentwithout any additional components. The first component also may beconnected to the second component by one or more other components. Forexample, one electronic device may be connected to another electronicdevice without any additional electronic devices between the firstelectronic device and the second electronic device. In some cases,another electronic device may be present between the two electronicdevices connected to each other.

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into accountthat current vessel reporting systems are poorly equipped to send andreceive information to and from shore-based stations in near-real time.Typically, vessel performance data is collected and stored in a databaseonboard the vessel's computer. Often, this stored performance data isprovided shore-side only by periodic, costly, extended-duration datatransmission. More commonly, this stored performance data is providedshore-side by manually copying the data onto a removable storage devicewhen the vessel comes into port. As a result, current reporting systemsencounter significant delay in data transmission from vessel to shore.

The different advantageous embodiments further recognize and take intoaccount that current methods for vessel management and monitoring relyon performance data for many things, including updating operationalstatus of a vessel and managing fleets. Interaction with the crew of avessel is often required to obtain detailed performance data shore-sideand efficiently manage a vessel or fleet of vessels.

Thus, the different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatuscomprising a sensor system, a computer system, and a satellitecommunication system. The sensor system is configured to generate dataabout a vessel and an environment around the vessel. The computer systemis connected to the sensor system. The computer system is configured toreceive the data from the sensor system, generate vessel informationabout the data, and send the vessel information to a remote location.The satellite communication system is connected to the computer system.The satellite communication system is configured to send the vesselinformation to and receive other information from the remote location.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a method forvessel communication. Data is collected about an environment and avessel in the environment using a vessel reporting tool. The data isencoded to form a first number of short data packets. A determination ismade as to whether a report is needed. In response to a determinationthat the report is needed, the first number of short data packets istransmitted to a remote server using a satellite communication system.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a method forcommunicating with a vessel. A first number of data packets from avessel is received using a satellite communications system. The firstnumber of data packets is decoded to retrieve collected data. Thecollected data is analyzed using a number of policies.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide an apparatuscomprising a data manager and an analysis system. The data manager isconfigured to receive a first number of short data packets from acomputer system associated with a vessel using a satellite communicationsystem, decode the number of short data packets to retrieve data aboutat least one of the vessel and an environment around the vessel,determine whether a response is needed, responsive to a determinationthat a response is needed, form a second number of short data packets inresponse to the data retrieved, and transmit the second number of shortdata packets to the computer system associated with the vessel using thesatellite communication system. The analysis system is configured toanalyze the data retrieved and generate at least one of instructions,information, requests, and alerts in response to the data retrieved. Thedata manager uses the at least one of instructions, information,requests, and alerts generated to form the second number of short datapackets.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a computerprogram product having computer usable program code stored on a computerreadable storage medium. The computer usable program code is executed bya computer to receive collected data about an environment and a vesselin the environment from a sensor system of a vessel reporting tool andencode the data to form a first number of short data packets. Inresponse to a determination that a report is needed, the computer usableprogram code is executed by a computer to transmit the number of shortdata packets to a remote server using a satellite communication system.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustration of a vessel reporting toolis depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Vesselreporting tool 300 is an illustrative example of one implementation of avessel reporting tool from number of vessel reporting tools 110 in FIG.1.

Vessel reporting tool 300 may include sensor system 302, satelliteantenna 304, automatic identification system (AIS) antenna 306,weatherproof enclosure 308, reporting system 310, satellite transceiver312, automatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314, and powerconditioner 316. Sensor system 302, satellite antenna 304, and automaticidentification system (AIS) antenna 306 may be implemented outsideweatherproof enclosure 308. Reporting system 310, satellite transceiver312, automatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314, and powerconditioner 316 may be implemented within weatherproof enclosure 308.Power 318 may be an illustrative example of one implementation of power114 in below deck area 108 of FIG. 1. Power 318 may provide power to oneor more components of vessel reporting tool 300 through powerconditioner 316. Power conditioner 316 is a device to configure and/orimprove the quality of the power delivered to vessel reporting tool 300.

Sensor system 302 includes a number of sensors to detect information onvessel position, environmental conditions, vessel motion, and othersuitable information. Satellite transceiver 312 and satellite antenna304 are configured to receive and transmit information from a satellitenetwork, such as satellite network 101 in FIG. 1, for example. Satellitereceiver 312 transmits information received over the satellite networkto reporting system 310.

Automatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314 uses very highfrequency (VHF) radio and global positioning satellite (GPS) technologyto receive broadcasts from nearby vessels via automatic identificationsystem (AIS) antenna 306. Vessel broadcasts may include, for example,vessel location, vessel speed, vessel course, vessel type, and otherelements of critical safety data. Automatic identification system (AIS)receiver 314 sends information received to reporting system 310.

Reporting system 310 may be implemented using a data processing system,such as data processing system 200 in FIG. 2. Reporting system 310includes data manager 320. Reporting system 310 receives sensor datafrom sensor system 302. Reporting system 310 may also receive AIS datafrom automatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314. Data manager320 integrates, compresses, and encodes the data received from sensorsystem 302 and/or automatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314 toform number of data packets 322. Number of data packets 322 may be, forexample, without limitation, short data packets configured fortransmission in short data bursts.

As used herein, short data packets are data messages that can be sentand received in short bursts lasting between under a second to less thanone minute. Examples of short data packet services may include, withoutlimitation, Iridium Satellite's Short Burst Data service (SBD), or ShortMessage Service (SMS) text messaging services offered by many cellulartelephone providers. In the illustrative example of Iridium Satellite'sSBD service, data messages are less than 2 kilobytes, or 16 kilobits, inlength. SBD messages may be sent at data transfer rates of 125-300 bytesper second, 1000-2400 bits per second. In the illustrative example ofSMS, messages up to 160 text characters in length, totaling a maximum of1120 bits, can be sent from one mobile transceiver to another.

Number of data packets 322 may be transmitted by satellite transceiver312 over a satellite network to remote servers, such as remote server118 in FIG. 1, for example.

The illustration of vessel reporting tool 300 in FIG. 3 is not meant toimply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other componentsin addition and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an illustration of a sensor system isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Sensor system400 is an illustrative example of one implementation of sensor system302 of vessel reporting tool 300 in FIG. 3.

Sensor system 400 may include number of positioning sensors 402, numberof environmental sensors 404, number of motion sensors 406, and othersensors 408. Number of positioning sensors 402 may detect informationabout the position, heading, and speed of the vessel associated withsensor system 400. Number of environmental sensors 404 may detectenvironmental conditions associated with an environment around thevessel. Number of motion sensors 406 may detect the speed, orientation,and accelerations of the vessel associated with sensor system 400.

Number of positioning sensors 402 may include, for example, withoutlimitation, global positioning system 410 and compass 412. Globalpositioning system 410 may be any type of radio frequency triangulationscheme based on signal strength and/or time of flight. Examples include,without limitation, the Global Positioning System, Glonass, and Galileo.Position is typically reported as latitude and longitude with an errorthat depends on factors, such as ionospheric conditions, satelliteconstellation, and signal attenuation from obstacles. Compass 412 is adevice used to determine direction relative to the Earth's magneticpoles.

Number of environmental sensors 404 may include, for example, withoutlimitation, anemometer 414, wind vane 416, thermometer 418, hygrometer420, manometer 422, and pressure gauge 424. Anemometer 414 is a devicefor measuring wind speed. Wind vane 416 is a device for measuring thedirection of wind. Thermometer 418 is a device that measures temperatureor temperature gradient. Hygrometer 420 is an instrument that measuresrelative humidity. Manometer 422 is an instrument that measurespressure, usually pressures near to atmospheric. Pressure gauge 424 maybe another instrument used to measure pressure.

In one advantageous embodiment, number of environmental sensors 404 maybe an integrated weather station sensor, such as the Airmar® PB200, forexample. Airmar is a registered trademark of the Airmar TechnologyCorporation.

Number of motion sensors 406 may include, for example, withoutlimitation, accelerometer 426, gyroscope 428, inclinometer 430, numberof cameras 432, and radar detector 434. Accelerometer 426 measures theacceleration it experiences relative to freefall. Accelerometer 426 maybe configured to measure the acceleration of the vessel associated withsensor system 400, for example. Gyroscope 428 measures rotation.Gyroscope 428 may be configured to measure the rotation angle andacceleration of the vessel associated with sensor system 400, forexample. Inclinometer 430 is an instrument that measures angles of tilt,elevation, or inclination of an object with respect to gravity.Inclinometer 430 may be configured to measure the inclination or tilt ofthe vessel associated with sensor system 400, for example.

Number of cameras 432 may include, for example, without limitation, acolor camera, a black and white camera, a digital camera, an infraredcamera, and/or any other suitable camera. Number of cameras 432 may beconfigured to monitor an environment around the vessel associated withsensor system 400. In an illustrative example, number of cameras 432 mayvisually detect motion of other vessels in the environment. Radardetector 434 may detect electromagnetic emissions from a radar onanother vessel in the environment, for example.

Other sensors 408 may include, for example, without limitation, engineperformance instrumentation, engine status instrumentation, fuel flowand/or fuel temperature monitors, sea surface temperature gauge,through-water velocity instrumentation, local and/or wave radarinstrumentation, depth or echo sounder, single strain sensors, multiplestrain sensors, audio microphones, intrusion and/or proximity detectors,and/or any other suitable sensor for collecting data about a vessel'sperformance, operations, crew, and the environment around the vessel.

The illustration of sensor system 400 in FIG. 4 is not meant to implyphysical or architectural limitations to the manner in which differentadvantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other components inaddition and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an illustration of a reporting system isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Reporting system500 is an illustrative example of one implementation of reporting system310 of vessel reporting tool 300 in FIG. 3.

Reporting system 500 is a software process executing on a computer, suchas data processing system 200 in FIG. 2. Reporting system 500 includesdata manager 502, communications manager 504, and database 506. Datamanager 502 is an illustrative example of data manager 320 in FIG. 3.Data manager 502 receives data 508 from sensor system 302 and/orautomatic identification system (AIS) receiver 314 in FIG. 3. Datamanager 502 integrates, compresses, and encodes data 508 to form numberof data packets 510. Data manager 502 may use any type of encodingscheme, such as, for example, without limitation, lossless datacompression, lossy data compression, and/or any other suitable encodingscheme. Number of data packets 510 may be short burst data messages, inan advantageous embodiment.

Number of data packets 510 may include information such as, for example,without limitation, shipboard conditions, encryption information foruploading or downloading large files at the next opportunity withsuitable connection, emergency SOS calls, personal messages from crewmembers, reports of extreme weather in a local environment, reports ofsuspicious activity by other vessels in the environment, crew-adjustedrouting information, and/or any other suitable information fortransmission during a voyage. Shipboard conditions may include, forexample, without limitation, motions, accelerations, engine performance,fuel flow, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, local environmentalconditions, and/or any other suitable condition.

Number of data packets 510 may then be transmitted over a satellitenetwork using a satellite transceiver, such as satellite transceiver 312in FIG. 3. Communications manager 504 is configured to direct number ofdata packets 510 to the satellite transceiver for transmission.Communications manager 504 may operate to send number of data packets510 to the satellite transceiver based on a number of factors. Thenumber of factors may include, for example, without limitation, areporting schedule, a remote request for a report, a local request for areport, an event that triggers an automated report generation andtransmission action, satellite availability, and/or any other suitablefactor.

Reporting schedule 518 in database 506 may be an example of a stored,predetermined reporting schedule. Reporting schedule 518 may be aprogrammable schedule that automatically initiates reports at given timeintervals, for example. Reporting schedule 518 may be modified locallyby a user on-board the vessel, in one example. Reporting schedule 518may also be modified remotely through data transmission received by thevessel reporting tool from a remote server, such as remote server 118 inFIG. 1, for example.

An event that triggers an automated report generation and transmissionaction may include, for example, without limitation, data exceeding apreset threshold, such as a data storage threshold. In anotherillustrative example, reporting system 500 may be preconfigured totrigger an automated report based on detection of certain types ofinformation. In one example, detection of a vessel in the environmentthat is transmitting inconsistent identification information may triggeran automated report and transmission by reporting system 500 to a remoteserver, in order to determine if piracy alerts should be generated andtransmitted back to reporting system 500, for example.

Data manager 502 also receives number of data packets 512 from thesatellite transceiver over the satellite network. Number of data packets512 may be, for example, compressed and encoded data from a remoteserver, such as remote server 118 in FIG. 1. Data manager 502 may decodenumber of data packets 512 to retrieve the data received over thesatellite network. The data may include, for example, withoutlimitation, request 516, information 522, instructions 520, packet 514,and/or any other suitable data. Request 516 may be a request from aremote server for an unscheduled vessel report, for example. In anotherexample, request 516 may be a request from a user on-board the vesselfor a report to be generated and transmitted to a remote server.Information 522 may be data pertinent to the vessel and/or crew thatdata manager 502 may transmit to the vessel computer, for example. Inanother illustrative example, information 522 may be an updatedreporting schedule to store in database 506. Instructions 520 may beinstructions for adjustments to one or more components of the sensorsystem associated with reporting system 500, such as sensor system 400in FIG. 4.

Communications manager 504 is also configured to maintain the integrityof satellite communication over the satellite network. Communicationsmanager 504 monitors for available satellites in satellite network 101of FIG. 1. When a satellite in the network is available, communicationsmanager 504 may initiate a transmission of number of data packets 510,for example. If a connection with the satellite identified as availableis broken before the transmission is complete, communications manager504 monitors for the next available satellite, and reinitiatescommunication when the next available satellite is identified.Communication manager 504 may also monitor communications usingchecksums and other known methods for accuracy and completion of datatransmissions.

The illustration of reporting system 500 in FIG. 5 is not meant to implyphysical or architectural limitations to the manner in which differentadvantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other components inaddition and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an illustration of an analysis system isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Analysis system600 is an illustrative example of one implementation of analysis system128 of remote server 118 in FIG. 1.

Analysis system 600 includes data manager 602, communications manager604, database 606, and analysis process 608. Data manager 602 receivesnumber of data packets 610 via satellite transceiver 601 over asatellite network, such as satellite network 101 in FIG. 1. Data manager602 receives number of data packets 610 from vessel reporting tools,such as number of vessel reporting tools 110 in FIG. 1 and/or vesselreporting tool 300 in FIG. 3. Data manager 602 decodes number of datapackets 610 to retrieve collected data 612. Collected data 612 may bedata compressed and transmitted over the satellite network by the vesselreporting tools, for example. Collected data 612 may include vesseldata, environmental data, crew data, and/or any other suitable datacollected by a vessel reporting tool. Number of data packets 610 may be,for example, compressed and encoded data from a reporting system of avessel reporting tool, such as reporting system 500 in FIG. 5.

Data manager 602 may store collected data 612 in database 606 as pastcollected data 614, in one advantageous embodiment. Data manager 602 mayalso transfer collected data 612 to analysis process 608. Analysisprocess 608 may analyze collected data 612 using number of policies 616.Number of policies 616 may be a number of stored policies for vesseloperation, for example. A policy is a set of parameters, in theseexamples. A policy may be, for example, without limitation, on timearrival, fuel efficiency during a voyage, following a prescribed route,safe operating standards, aircraft landing parameters, launch operationsparameters, re-fueling at sea parameters, boarding a vessel at seaparameters, parameters for navigating in close proximity to a number ofother vessels and/or objects, and/or any other suitable policy.

Analysis process 608 may analyze collected data 612 using number ofpolicies 616 to determine if a vessel is operating in a manner to meetone or more policies, for example. In these examples, analysis process608 may generate data 618 in response to the analysis of collected data612. Data 618 may be, without limitation, information for a vessel,information for a crew, instructions for a vessel, crew, voyage, orroute, advisory actions, weather information, alerts, request foradditional collected data from a vessel reporting tool, and/or any othersuitable type of data.

Data manager 602 receives data 618 from analysis process 608. Datamanager 602 compresses and encodes data 618 to form number of datapackets 620. Number of data packets 620 may include, for example,without limitation, instructions 622, information 624, request 626,alert 628, and/or any other suitable data. Instructions 622 may be, forexample, without limitation, instructions to update a voyage route,instructions to alter a vessel operating parameter, instructions toadjust a number of vessel reporting tool parameters, and/or any othersuitable instructions. For example, vessel operating parameters mayinclude, without limitation, speed.

Information 624 may be data pertinent to the vessel, crew, and/or vesselcomputers, for example. Information 624 may include data such as, forexample, without limitation, weather information for an environmentaround the vessel, weather information for a projected environment on avessel route, software-enabling licensing information for certainsoftware functionality of a vessel computer, personal short messagesdirected to crew members, and/or any other suitable data. In anotherillustrative example, information 624 may be an updated reportingschedule to store in database 506 of reporting system 500 in FIG. 5.

Request 626 may be a request for additional collected data from a numberof vessel reporting tools, such as number of vessel reporting tools 110in FIG. 1, for example. Alert 628 may be information associated withsafety and/or efficiency of a vessel, environment, route, operatingparameter, and/or any other suitable factor. Alert 628 may includeinformation such as, for example, without limitation, emergency weatherreports, routing advisory information, notices that a large file iswaiting to be downloaded the next time the vessel has access to abroadband connection, alerts of extreme weather conditions, such asstorms, typhoons, hurricanes, rogue waves, piracy activity, and/or anyother suitable information. In an illustrative example, alert 628 may begenerated by analysis system 600 in response to information from numberof data packets 610 indicating a possible piracy concern in anenvironment around a vessel. In this illustrative example, alert 628 maybe transmitted by analysis system 600 over satellite transceiver 601 toa number of vessel reporting tools associated with vessels in or aroundthe environment reported.

Data manager 602 may use any type of encoding scheme to form number ofdata packets 620, such as, for example, without limitation, losslessdata compression, lossy data compression, and/or any other suitableencoding scheme. Number of data packets 620 may be short burst datamessages, in an advantageous embodiment.

Communications manager 604 is configured to direct number of datapackets 620 to satellite transceiver 601 for transmission.Communications manager 604 is also configured to maintain the integrityof satellite communication over the satellite network.

The illustration of analysis system 600 in FIG. 6 is not meant to implyphysical or architectural limitations to the manner in which differentadvantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other components inaddition and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 7, an illustration of a flowchartillustrating a process for vessel reporting is depicted in accordancewith an advantageous embodiment. The process in FIG. 7 may beimplemented by a component such as vessel reporting tool 300 in FIG. 3.

The process begins by collecting data about an environment and a vesselin the environment (operation 702). The vessel may be vessel 104 in FIG.1, for example. The vessel may be between ports, in this illustrativeexample.

The process determines whether a report is needed (operation 704). Theprocess may determine whether a report is needed using a reportingschedule stored in a database, such as reporting schedule 518 in FIG. 5,in one illustrative example. In this example, the reporting schedule maybe a programmable schedule that automatically initiates reports at giventime intervals. In another illustrative example, the process may receivea request for a report from a remote site, such as remote server 118 inFIG. 1. In yet another illustrative example, the process may receive alocal request for an unscheduled report or receive a modified reportingschedule, for example. In this example, the local request may beinitiated by a user on-board the vessel. In still another illustrativeexample, the process may receive an unscheduled, automated alerttriggered by an event that requires a report, such as data exceeding apreset threshold or a detector switch, for example. The preset thresholdmay be a data storage threshold, for example, that triggers datatransmission through a report to a remote server for data storage at theremote server.

If a determination is made that the report is not needed, the processreturns to operation 702. If a determination is made that the report isneeded, the process integrates, compresses, and encodes the datacollected to form a number of data packets (operation 706). The processthen determines whether a satellite is available (operation 708) fortransmission of the data packets. The process may use a communicationsmanager, such as communications manager 504 in FIG. 5, to determinewhether a satellite in satellite network 101 of FIG. 1 is available fortransmission of data.

If a determination is made that a satellite is not available, theprocess monitors for satellite availability (operation 710), returningto operation 708 when an available satellite is detected. If adetermination is made that a satellite is available, the processtransmits the number of data packets to a remote server using asatellite network (operation 712), with the process terminatingthereafter.

The number of data packets may be transferred all together, or inportions as the satellite availability allows. For example, if a portionof the number of data packets is transmitted when a satellite becomesavailable, but the transmission is interrupted when the satellite is nolonger available, the process may identify the portion of the number ofdata packets that have not been transmitted and transmit the remainingportion when the next available satellite is detected. The network maybe a satellite network, such as satellite network 101 in FIG. 1.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an illustration of a flowchartillustrating a process for data analysis is depicted in accordance withan advantageous embodiment. The process in FIG. 8 may be implemented bya component such as analysis system 128 in FIG. 1 and/or analysis system600 in FIG. 6.

The process begins by receiving a first number of data packets from anumber of vessel reporting tools (operation 802). The first number ofdata packets may be, for example, number of data packets 610 in FIG. 6and/or number of data packets 510 in FIG. 5. The process decodes thefirst number of data packets to retrieve collected data (operation 804).The collected data may be data collected by a number of vessel reportingtools during a voyage or between ports, for example. The collected datamay be data collected using a sensor system, such as data 508 in FIG. 5.

The process analyzes the collected data using a number of policies(operation 806). The number of policies may be one or more sets of rulesrelating to vessel operations, for example. The process determineswhether a data transmission to a number of vessels is needed (operation808). A data transmission may be needed in order to update a reportingschedule, provide weather information, provide updated routeinformation, alert a vessel and/or crew to environmental conditions,request additional collected data, and/or any other suitable reason.

If a determination is made that no data transmission is needed, theprocess terminates. If a determination is made that the datatransmission to the number of vessels is needed, the process generatesdata in response to the analysis of the collected data (operation 810).The data generated in response may be, without limitation, informationto correct an operating parameter of a vessel, information to alert avessel or crew to environmental factors relevant to a vessel route orposition, a request for additional collected data needed to determinewhether a number of policies are met, and/or any other suitable data.

The process compresses and encodes the data to form a second number ofdata packets (operation 812). The process then transmits the secondnumber of data packets to the number of vessel reporting tools(operation 814), with the process terminating thereafter.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodimentsillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatus, methods and computer programproducts. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagramsmay represent a module, segment, or portion of computer usable orreadable program code, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified function or functions. Insome alternative implementations, the function or functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, insome cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved.

The different advantageous embodiments can take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodimentcontaining both hardware and software elements. Some embodiments areimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to forms,such as, for example, firmware, resident software, and microcode.

Furthermore, the different embodiments can take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer usable or computer readablemedium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any device or system that executes instructions. For thepurposes of this disclosure, a computer usable or computer readablemedium can generally be any tangible apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer usable or computer readable medium can be, for example,without limitation an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, or a propagation medium. Non limitingexamples of a computer readable medium include a semiconductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk,and an optical disk. Optical disks may include compact disk-read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

Further, a computer usable or computer readable medium may contain orstore a computer readable or usable program code such that when thecomputer readable or usable program code is executed on a computer, theexecution of this computer readable or usable program code causes thecomputer to transmit another computer readable or usable program codeover a communications link. This communications link may use a mediumthat is, for example without limitation, physical or wireless.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing computerreadable or computer usable program code will include one or moreprocessors coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through acommunications fabric, such as a system bus. The memory elements mayinclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storageof at least some computer readable or computer usable program code toreduce the number of times code may be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution of the code.

Input/output or I/O devices can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. These devices may include, forexample, without limitation to keyboards, touch screen displays, andpointing devices. Different communications adapters may also be coupledto the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled toother data processing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks. Non-limiting examplesare modems and network adapters are just a few of the currentlyavailable types of communications adapters.

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into accountthat current vessel reporting systems limit sending and receivinginformation to and from remote stations due to the high cost of air timeand/or unavailability of suitable communication systems. Typically,vessel performance data is collected and stored in a database onboardthe vessel's computer. Normally, this stored performance data isprovided to remote stations only by periodic, costly, extended-durationdata transmission or is offloaded from the vessel by manually copyingthe data onto a removable storage device when the vessel comes intoport. As a result, current reporting systems incur significant expenseand/or encounter significant delay in data transmission from vessel to aremote station.

The different advantageous embodiments further recognize and take intoaccount that current methods for vessel management and monitoring relyon performance data for many things, including updating operationalstatus of a vessel and managing fleets. Interaction with the crew of avessel is often required to obtain detailed performance data shore-sideand efficiently manage a vessel or fleet of vessels.

Thus, the different advantageous embodiments provide an easy-to-install,low-cost tool for asset management, tracking, and verification by vesselowners, operators, fleet managers, and the like. The vessel reportingtool allows for accurate and timely remote monitoring of vesseloperating efficiency, including fuel consumption, carbon emissionindexing, and estimated arrival times at lower cost than is currentlypossible. By providing automated updating of vessel computer performancemodels used in optimization software, the accuracy of simulation resultscan also improve. The different advantageous embodiments also provide atool that can receive advisory feedback in near-real time from a remotesite, such as a shore-side station for example, and increase situationalawareness for a vessel and crew, for example, with regard to piracyactivities in the local vicinity.

The easy-to-install apparatus is configured to allow very low costcommunication exchange in near real-time between vessels at sea andremote sites. The communication exchange may include informationconcerning vessel and fleet operational status for the purpose ofimproving the vessel's and/or fleet's operating safety, efficiency, andperformance. The apparatus can be installed at non-critical,low-priority locations onboard a vessel. These locations might includethe flying bridges, or available railings along the side of the vessel.The apparatus does not require installation in critical, high-priorityareas, such as on top of the bridge or on an antenna tower, which arereserved for critical navigation, communication, and safety equipment.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system forcommunication between vessels and remote sites that use small datapackets. Small data packets can be transmitted and received in veryshort periods of time, even using inexpensive low bandwidth, therebyonly requiring satellite connections for only seconds or minutes, incomparison to large data packets that require hours of connected airtime and/or expensive high bandwidth. A satellite antenna for short lowbandwidth connections can be a fixed simple low-maintenance smallantenna, for example, in comparison to long and/or high bandwidthconnections, which require a costly large dish antenna with motorizedgimbaled articulation, complex tracking system, and high maintenancerequirements.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system and toolthat contributes to the operating efficiency of a vessel. This systemshortens the turn-around time between collecting and transmittingperformance data from a vessel to a remote server, where the data can beanalyzed and a recommendation or advisory generated and returned to thevessel. This provides the vessel with an opportunity to improve itsoperating safety and efficiency even during a single passage. Thissystem further provides timely data for the vessel owner, operator,and/or fleet manager with regard to asset management and validation. Thesystem allows a remote server to collect relevant performance andenvironmental data in a timely manner and return alerts andrecommendations with regard to the situational awareness of a vessel,such as alerts to extreme weather conditions or piracy activity. Thesystem provides a tool whereby users onboard a vessel can initiatereports, requests, or alerts in case of special events that may occurbetween the normally scheduled communications during a voyage.

The different advantageous embodiments further provide importantinformation that, when made available to a remote site, such as ashore-side office for example, with resources to conduct advancedperformance analysis, allows accurate and timely remote monitoring ofvessel operating efficiency, including fuel consumption, carbon emissionindexing monitoring and verification for credits and trading, and fortimely management of vessel and fleet operating efficiencies. Advisoryfeedback, also delivered by the different advantageous embodiments, caninclude changing of route direction or speed, using a different shipclass for a given task, changing propeller design or hull coating type,or conducting other specific unscheduled maintenance. Analysis ofoperating performance data provided via the different advantageousembodiments can indicate when such changes or upgrades will be mostcost-effective or necessary to meet other requirements such asseaworthiness, maintain sufficient speed for on-time arrival, or othercritical performance criteria.

The different advantageous embodiments allow automated updating ofvessel computer performance models that are used in voyage optimizationsoftware, which simulates vessel voyages while taking into accountenvironmental conditions such as wind, waves, and currents. As vesselcomputer performance models improve, so does the accuracy of thesimulation results of the optimization software. The differentadvantageous embodiments increases situational awareness, includinganti-piracy functionality, by collecting relevant information from thevessel's local vicinity that can be analyzed in near real-time at aremote site and provide alerts of abnormalities in behavior ofneighboring vessels that merit closer attention. Such information isonly relevant and useful when notification of such events occurs with aminimum of delay. For example, receiving alerts of piracy occurring inthe vessel's local vicinity is important if given within a few hours ofthe event, but this kind of information is less useful if it isreceived, for example, more than eight hours later.

The different advantageous embodiments can also be used to issue shorttext messaging between a vessel and a remote site, including sending andreceiving alerts, including request for local weather updates, alarms ofstorms, extreme waves, or piracy occurring in the vessel's localvicinity.

The description of the different advantageous embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageousembodiments may provide different advantages as compared to otheradvantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a sensor systemconfigured to generate data about a vessel and an environment around thevessel, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect informationabout a position, a heading, a speed of the vessel, environmentalconditions around the vessel, and information about an orientation, arotation, and an acceleration of the vessel associated with theapparatus; a computer system connected to the sensor system, wherein thecomputer system is configured to receive the data from the sensorsystem, generate vessel information about the data, and send the vesselinformation to a remote location for performance analysis andpreparation of instructions to the vessel regarding a change in a speedand a route; a satellite transceiver connected to the computer system,wherein the satellite transceiver is configured to send the vesselinformation to and receive other information from the remote location;an automatic identification system; and an analysis system configured toreceive a first number of short data packets transmitted by the computersystem, analyze the data collected from the sensor system, make adetermination whether to update a reporting schedule, and, responsive tothe determination, generate a second number of short data packets toupdate the reporting schedule; and wherein the satellite transceiver isconfigured to send the vessel information in short data packets, theshort data packets configured for short data bursts over a satellitenetwork, the satellite network comprising a low earth orbit satelliteconstellation, the low earth orbit satellite constellation comprising anumber of satellites at a number of altitudes between approximately 160and 2000 kilometers.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analysissystem is further configured to receive from a number of other vesselsconnected to the analysis system alerts of piracy occurring in a localvicinity of the vessel, and alarms of storms and of extreme waves, andresponsive to receiving the alerts and the local alarms to transmitinstructions to the vessel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesensor system further comprises: a number of sensors configured todetect a presence and movement of other vessels in an environment arounda vessel associated with the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the sensor system further comprises: a number of sensorsconfigured to detect at least one of engine status, engine performance,fuel flow, temperature, through-water velocity, local radar, wave radar,sea surface temperature, single strain factors, and multiple strainfactors for the vessel associated with the apparatus.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the computer system is further configured toacquire, integrate, compress, and encode the data collected from thesensor system to form a first number of short data packets.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the computer system is further configuredto manage the transmission of the first number of short data packets tothe remote location.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the computersystem is further configured to manage the reception of a second numberof short data packets from the remote location.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the remote location further comprises: an analysissystem configured to receive a first number of short data packetstransmitted by the computer system of the apparatus, analyze the datacollected from the sensor system of the apparatus, determine whether aresponse is needed, and, responsive to a determination that the responseis needed, generate a second number of short data packets in response tothe data collected, wherein the second number of short data packetsinclude emergency weather reports, routing advisory information, noticesthat a large file is waiting to be downloaded a next time the vessel hasaccess to a broadband connection, and alerts of extreme weatherconditions and of piracy activity.
 9. A method for vessel communication,the method comprising: determining whether a satellite communicationsystem is available for data transmission; collecting data about anenvironment and a vessel in the environment using a vessel reportingtool, wherein the data includes information about a position, a heading,a speed of a vessel, environmental conditions around the vessel, anorientation, a rotation, and an acceleration of the vessel; encoding thedata to form a first number of short data packets; determining whether areport is needed; and responsive to a determination that a report isneeded, transmitting the first number of short data packets to a remoteserver using a satellite transceiver; wherein the satellite transceiveris configured to send the vessel information in short data packets, theshort data packets configured for short data bursts over a satellitenetwork, the satellite network comprising a low earth orbit satelliteconstellation, the low earth orbit satellite constellation comprising anumber of satellites at a number of altitudes between approximately 160and 2000 kilometers.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:monitoring the transmission of the number of short data packets foraccuracy and completeness.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:decoding a second number of short data packets received from the remoteserver to retrieve information, wherein the second number of short datapackets is received using the satellite transceiver, wherein the secondnumber of short data packets contain data collected from the sensorsystem; analyzing the data collected from the sensor system; making adetermination whether to update a reporting schedule; and responsive tothe determination, generating a second number of short data packets toupdate the reporting schedule.
 12. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: processing the information retrieved for at least one ofissuing alerts and storing the information into a structured database.13. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether the report isneeded further comprises: determining at least one of whether areporting schedule indicates the report is needed, whether a request foran unscheduled report has been received, and whether an unscheduledautomated alert is triggered that requires a report.
 14. A computerprogram product having non-transitory computer usable program codestored on a computer readable storage medium, the computer usableprogram code executed by a computer to: receive collected data about anenvironment and a vessel in the environment from a sensor system of avessel reporting tool, wherein the data includes information about aposition, a heading, a speed of a vessel, environmental conditionsaround the vessel, an orientation, a rotation, and an acceleration ofthe vessel; encode the data to form a first number of short datapackets; determine whether a report is needed; responsive to adetermination that the report is needed, transmit the first number ofdata packets to a remote server using a satellite transceiver; receivethe first number of data packets from the vessel using a satellitetransceiver; decode the first number of data packets to retrievecollected data; and analyze the collected data using a number ofpolicies, wherein the satellite transceiver is configured to send thevessel information in short data packets, the short data packetsconfigured for short data bursts over a satellite network, the satellitenetwork comprising a low earth orbit satellite constellation, the lowearth orbit satellite constellation comprising a number of satellites ata number of altitudes between approximately 160 and 2000 kilometers. 15.The computer program product of claim 14, the non-transitory computerusable program code further executed by the computer to: decode a secondnumber of short data packets received from the remote server to retrieveinformation, wherein the second number of short data packets is receivedusing the satellite transceiver, wherein the second number of short datapackets contain data collected from the sensor system; analyzing thedata collected from the sensor system; making a determination whether toupdate a reporting schedule; responsive to the determination, generatinga second number of short data packets to update the reporting schedule.16. The computer program product of claim 14, the non-transitorycomputer usable program code further executed by the computer to:determine at least one of whether a reporting schedule indicates thereport is needed, whether a request for an unscheduled report has beenreceived, and whether an unscheduled automated alert is triggered thatrequires a report.
 17. The computer program product of claim 14, thenon-transitory computer usable program code further executed by thecomputer to: generate at least one of instructions, information,requests, and alerts in response to the collected data to form a secondnumber of short data packets; and transmitting the second number ofshort data packets to the vessel using the satellite transceiver,wherein the second number of short data packets include emergencyweather reports, routing advisory information, notices that a large fileis waiting to be downloaded a next time the vessel has access to abroadband connection, alerts of extreme weather conditions and of piracyactivity.